The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has sounded serious alarms following revelations regarding the former police and RAB chief, who reportedly amassed substantial illegal wealth and property through misuse of the state-granted authority.
The anti-corruption watchdog underscores that the unchecked use of power by individuals in high-ranking positions is not only alarming, but also reminiscent of creating Frankenstein-like figures such as Benazir Ahmed, ultimately undermining the state's accountability mechanisms.
The TIB, through a statement on Monday, has called for decisive legal actions against those aiding and shielding such abuse of power.
Additionally, the entity has demanded fair compensation for individuals, forced by Benazir to sell their land.
The TIB has said information on wealth and property accumulation by Benazir is surfacing regularly.
The media has reported that most of this wealth and property were grabbed by the former police chief by using fear tactics, or he had taken the real owners hostage to force them to sell their land.
In many cases, the owners of these lands were minorities. For carrying out his plan, the ex-police chief arbitrarily employed personnel from his own agency and other state-run agencies.
Terming such misuse by Benazir outrageous, TIB executive director (ED) Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said, "Allegations that the properties were forcibly acquired through intimidation using the ex-IGP's name and his family members as well as the collusion of law-enforcement and government agency personnel in carrying out these tasks are truly horrific."
"Any chance of the victims getting justice for his crimes has also been forcefully blocked. In these circumstances, there is no alternative but to ensure exemplary punishment for the main accused and colluders, and compensate those who were forced to sell their properties out of fear."
The allegations of wealth and property accumulation through corruption against Benazir are currently under investigation, with new information about his wealth surfacing regularly.
Dr Zaman said, "Media reports indicate that Benazir fled the country after withdrawing a substantial amount of money from banks. Given the circumstances, it's truly surprising that someone as controversial as him could leave without anyone noticing."
"It raises doubts about whether his departure involved collusion, or if any bank official assisted in withdrawing and laundering the funds abroad, or if the investigations against him are superficial."
It is evident that a certain faction within the power structure earlier protected him and still continues to do so, according to the TIB ED.
"Justice cannot be served solely by prosecuting the former police chief. Those aiding and abetting him must also face legal consequences," he has added.
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